wash

The word “wash” means to clean something using water, usually with soap. In plain terms, to clean with water, or (informally) a situation where nothing is really gained or lost.

“Wash” is pronounced wosh (/wɑʃ/ in IPA).

Here is “wash” used in a sentence: “He washed the dishes right after dinner.”

Depending on how it is used, “wash” can be a verb and a noun.

The word “wash” comes from Old English. From Old English wascan ("to wash"), tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "wet" or "water" — the same root behind "water" itself.

“Wash” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Wash” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to clean something using water, usually with soap.

Cleaning is the general act of removing dirt by any method, such as dusting, wiping, sweeping, or vacuuming. Washing is a specific kind of cleaning that uses water, usually with soap. So all washing is cleaning, but you can clean many things without washing them. Washing implies water is involved.

Washing cleans something with water and usually soap or detergent to lift away dirt. Rinsing uses clean water alone, without soap, to flush off remaining suds, residue, or loosened grime. In practice you wash first to clean, then rinse to remove what the washing left behind. Rinsing is the finishing step.

Besides cleaning with water, 'wash' has several uses. Water can wash over or against a shore; colour can wash out of fabric; and figuratively, an excuse that 'won't wash' is one that fails to convince. As a noun, a wash can mean laundry, a thin layer of paint, or a break-even result.

Scrubbing dishes under the tap, running clothes through a washing machine, lathering your hands with soap and water, or cleaning a muddy car with a hose and bucket are all washing. Each uses water, usually with soap or detergent, to lift away dirt, which is the core idea behind the word.